Two years of anguish is finally over for a Teesside mum unfairly sacked from the job she loved.

Former Thornaby Town Council clerk Leanne Plant was forced out of the job amid accusations that she misused council resources.

Her dismissal came after she gave permission to the Thornaby Independents Association (TIA) to print political leaflets using the council photocopier.

The 30-year-old from Thornaby had insisted she thought it was "just another printing job" but a disciplinary hearing made up of Labour Party members dismissed her.

Now an employment tribunal has ruled that Ms Plant had been used in a political battle between the TIA and Labour Party members.

Today the Vulcan Way resident spoke of her delight. She also told how distressing the dismissal had been on her life.

"I loved my job," she said. "I relished being so involved in the community in which I live.

"I felt the job was taken from me unfairly, for reasons which I believe were politically motivated. It has been a lengthy ordeal, that started to escalate when I was pregnant with my first son Jacob and all but concluded some three days after the birth of my next son Tom.

"So I am over the moon with the employment tribunal's decision, which could not have come at a better time."

The tribunal ruled that it was unreasonable to justify the dismissal on the grounds that they no longer had any "trust and confidence" in her.

It had been claimed in the tribunal that Ms Plant was used as a "political football" by Labour Party members.

"The tribunal was aware that the disciplinary panel and the appeal panel were both made up of members of the controlling Labour party," said the tribunal committee.

"They were sitting in judgment on an employee whom they clearly believed to be supportive of the opposing Independent party."

They also pointed out that the decision to suspend Ms Plant was made without the full authority of the council.

When contacted by the Gazette, Thornaby Town Council said an "extraordinary" meeting is being organised regarding the decision.

Compensation for Ms Plant is expected to be announced in the next few weeks.

She thanked her solicitors and witnesses for their help as well as the Transport and General Workers Union for supporting her case.